India vs South Africa 1st ODI: Big opportunity for Indian fringe players to make a statement

05.10.2022 - 11:05 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Shikhar Dhawan, will aim to make a statement and be in the reckoning for next year's 50-over World Cup when the three-match ODI series against South Africa begins here on Thursday.

In the absence of big guns like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are off to Australia for the T20 World Cup, the Indian selectors opted for a fresh squad that includes Mukesh Kumar and Rajat Patidar, who earned their maiden call ups.

The squad also features a few T20 World Cup reserve players. Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who is part of the reserves named for the T20 World Cup, will serve as Dhawan's deputy in the series.

Right-arm pacer Deepak Chahar and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, the other players from the standby list, have also been included in the ODI team for the matches against South Africa.

cricket bowling Ravi Bishnoi Ravichandran Ashwin Shreyas Iyer Rajat Patidar Australia South Africa New Zealand India Bangalore Sanju

Read more on the timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Indian batter Shreyas Iyer climbed three spots to reach number 33 and spinner Kuldeep Yadav also jumped five places to enter the top 25 in the latest ICC Men's ODI Players Rankings issued on Wednesday. Shreyas Iyer finished as the leading run-scorer in the recently-concluded ODI series against South Africa, scoring 191 runs in three matches with a century and fifty. Kuldeep Yadav also emerged out of the series as the leading wicket-taker with six scalps in three matches.

"I Have Always Felt...": Ravichandran Ashwin Makes Big Comment On Kuldeep Yadav's Career

Once branded as India's No. 1 overseas spinner by Ravi Shastri, Kuldeep Yadav's stocks haven't hit the momentum they were expected to after the first couple of years of his career. Though Kuldeep is gradually making a comeback in white-ball cricket, he still remains far from being given an opportunity in Tests. Ravichandran Ashwin, who continues to remain a huge pillar for India in the longest format, however, has big hopes from Kuldeep in the format.

Watch: Shikhar Dhawan Dances To 'Bolo Tara Ra Ra' Song With Teammates Post India's ODI Series Win vs South Africa

India's skipper Shikhar Dhawan had some fun time with teammates after their 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa on Tuesday. The Indian side defeated the Proteas by 7 wickets in the third and deciding ODI match at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium to bag the series. From bringing out his trademark thigh celebration after receiving the winner's trophy to dancing with teammates to cherish the moment, India's stand in skipper for the series, Shikhar Dhawan found it really hard to control his happiness. So was the case of his teammates!

IND vs SA 3rd ODI: Openers In Focus As India Look To Seal Series Against South Africa

The second-string Indian team would look for some stability from its openers as the hosts aim to punch above their weight and seal a memorable series victory against South Africa in the third and final ODI in New Delhi on Tuesday. After going down narrowly in the series-opener, the might of the Indian white-ball depth was in full display as the hosts won the second ODI comfortably to level the three-match series 1-1. But the Indian think tank would be a little concerned about the opening pair of captain Shikhar Dhawan and young Shubhman Gill.

R Ashwin Responds To Ramiz Raja's Statement Saying India Has Started To 'Respect' Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja recently made a strong statement about the cricketing equation between India and Pakistan. Ramiz stressed how the Indian team has started to 'respect' Pakistan as an opponent now while also terming Rohit Sharma's men as a "billion-dollar side". When India stalwart Ravichandran Ashwin was informed about Ramiz's comments, he gave an apt response. Ashwin, in a press conference from Australia on Monday, said that he wasn't aware of the comments from Ramiz until he was just informed.

India vs South Africa: Ishan Kishan's Fiery Response On Criticism Over Strike Rotation

Shikhar Dhawan-led Team India levelled the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa as they chased down 209 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan played knocks of 113* and 93 respectively as India registered a comfortable seven-wicket win with 25 balls to spare. Shreyas and Kishan stitched together a stand of 161 runs for the fourth wicket and this partnership set up India's victory. In the end, Shreyas (113*) and Sanju Samson (30*) remained unbeaten for the hosts.